NBA players’ shooting and overall efficiency

March 8, 2018 11:41 AM

The following graphics look at how NBA players’ shooting and overall efficiency, which is represented by Player Efficiency Rating*, change with age. This first graph represents averages for players from the 1979-80 season, when the 3-point line was added, until this season. Three-point percentages are the averages for all players who attempted 300 or more 3-pointers in a season. PER stats are the averages for all guards who played at least 24 minutes per game.

* PER is a formula that adds all positive accomplishments, subtracts negative accomplishments and rates players on a per-minute basis. The league average is set to 15. Wilt Chamberlain has the all-time single-season high of 31.82. Stephen Curry’s PER was 31.46 the year he was the unanimous MVP.

The following graphics look at how NBA players’ shooting and overall efficiency, which is represented by Player Efficiency Rating*, change with age. This first graph represents averages for players from the ... more

The following graphics look at how NBA players’ shooting and...photo-15196209.179285 - |ucfirst

Triple threat: Guards who stay productive the longest, like 18-year-pro Steve Nash, who was an All-Star at age 37, tend to be ones who find a balance between shooting, driving and play-making.

Triple threat: Guards who stay productive the longest, like 18-year-pro Steve Nash, who was an All-Star at age 37, tend to be ones who find a balance between shooting, driving and play-making.

Slashers and drivers: Dwyane Wade, an All-NBA player at the age of 31 who now comes off the bench, is an example of how guards who rely on athleticism tend to fall off more quickly and have shorter careers.

Slashers and drivers: Dwyane Wade, an All-NBA player at the age of 31 who now comes off the bench, is an example of how guards who rely on athleticism tend to fall off more quickly and have shorter careers.

Slashers and drivers: Dwyane Wade, an All-NBA player at the age of...photo-15196214.179285 - |ucfirst

Slashers and drivers: Allen Iverson, an unstoppable Hall of Famer at his peak, is an example of how guards who rely on athleticism tend to fall off more quickly and have shorter careers.

Slashers and drivers: Allen Iverson, an unstoppable Hall of Famer at his peak, is an example of how guards who rely on athleticism tend to fall off more quickly and have shorter careers.

The following graphics look at how NBA players’ shooting and overall efficiency, which is represented by Player Efficiency Rating*, change with age. This first graph represents averages for players from the 1979-80 season, when the 3-point line was added, until this season. Three-point percentages are the averages for all players who attempted 300 or more 3-pointers in a season. PER stats are the averages for all guards who played at least 24 minutes per game.

* PER is a formula that adds all positive accomplishments, subtracts negative accomplishments and rates players on a per-minute basis. The league average is set to 15. Wilt Chamberlain has the all-time single-season high of 31.82. Stephen Curry’s PER was 31.46 the year he was the unanimous MVP.

The following graphics look at how NBA players’ shooting and overall efficiency, which is represented by Player Efficiency Rating*, change with age. This first graph represents averages for players from the ... more